Saturday, April 04, 2009

33 and 1/3

Here is the final post for the best of 2007. I am hoping to have the best of 2008 up before 2010.

5. Favourite Worst Nightmare by Arctic Monkeys (Domino)This is and excellent solid sophomore effort by the Arctic Monkeys. I was quite apprehensive about the Monkeys because of how fast they blew up after their first album. I am surprised that Favourite Worst Nightmare is so good. It is solid from the top of the playlist to the bottom. The Arctic Monkeys possess lots of Gatling gun lyrics, incredibly catchy hooks and clever beats. This House is a Circus is one of the best tracks of the year with that incredible bass line. But I especially love this line:“Who wants to sleep in a city that never wakes up? Blinded by Nostalgia.”Best Tracks: Teddy Picker, Do Me a Favour, This House is a Circus and Old Yellow BricksThis House is a Circus

4. Boxer by The National (Beggars Banquet)I’d never listened to the National before listening to this phenomenal effort. The National is a five piece Indie band out of New York who play soft music that is almost anthemic in its delivery. This album has great song after great song with beautiful melodies and poignant lyrics. This album will make almost every top 10 list this year and for good reason. I really love this line from Mistaken for Strangers "You wouldn't want an angel watching over you?/Surprise surprise, they wouldn't want to watch"Best Tracks: Fake Empire, Mistaken for Strangers and Start a War

Mistaken for Strangers

3. New Wave by Against Me! (Sire)Some call it a sell out but I am too old to care. Big Ell loves music that should be best listened to while drinking, fighting or drinking and fighting. New Wave, would have been number one if Stop wasn’t included. That song is god awful on so many levels. But the rest of the album is filled with excellent songs with lyrics like “Protest songs in response to military aggression.” I missed seeing these guys the last time around and won’t miss them again. But people need to stop the comparisons with the Clash before they get hit by lightning.Best Tracks: New Wave, Up the Cuts, White People for Peace and Piss and Vinegar.

Up the Cuts

2. Beyond by Dinosaur Jr. (Play it Again Sam)Guitarist J. Mascis and bassist Lou Barlow finally got back together and I couldn’t be happier. The first half of the album is phenomenal equaling any of their previous collaborations like Your Living All Over Me or Bu. I had no idea that they still had it them to put out such a stellar album. The album kicks off with a thunderous distorted roar with Almost Ready which is as good as a anything they have done. The album rolls along until the sublime Back To Your Heart kicks in. It is easy to tell that Barlow wrote this song as it reminds me of a slightly pumped up Sebadoh song. I can’t wait to hear what these guys will put out next. Plus J Mascis now looks like Gadalf.Best Tracks: Almost Ready, Back to the Heart, Been There All the Time and Pick Me Up

1. In Rainbows by Radiohead (Radiohead)The most accessible Radiohead release since Kid A and the year’s best in the humble opinion of this writer. So many strong tunes interwoven within the tapestries of modern life or something like that. This album has it all; rocking numbers like 15 Step, Bodysnatchers and Jigsaw Falling Into Place. Grovy tunes like Weird Fishes/Arpeggi. Haunting songs with great bass lines like All I Need and Nude. Thom Yorke even plays piano on Videotape. I believe that in ten years when we look at the best albums from the first decade of the 21st Century, In Rainbows will rank high.Best Tracks: 15 Step, Bodysnatchers, Weird Fishes/Arpeggi, Nude, All I Need and Jigsaw Falling Into Place.